Why is this happening?

Brent Council (i) wants to ensure it can provide long-term, sustainable community space for South Kilburn, (ii) needs to provide new housing, and (iii) is required by national government to make the most efficient use of their land assets. The existing Carlton and Granville buildings are expensive to run and maintain and need upgrading. By thinking strategically about the site now, the Council hopes to meet all three of these aims.

Will the existing buildings be retained?

The Carlton building, and part of the Granville building will be kept, repaired and improved. The recent (2000s) extensions as well as part of the Granville building will be demolished in order to (i) improve access to the site and building layout, (ii) increase the amount of community and workspace provision and (iii) ensure that the project is viable.

Is it definitely happening?

The Council is committed to this project, with an intended completion date of 2022.

The council is required to provide much needed new homes across the borough, and this site is judged as able to accommodate some, if carefully integrated into the wider scheme.

Why will there be new homes on this site?

Who will the new homes be for?

The current aim is that all homes are for social rent. The council is currently assessing the viability of this idea. It might be that a small proportion of the new homes have to be private.

Current designs propose 23 new homes of varying sizes. The South Kilburn masterplan allocates about 40 homes to this site. As shown at previous consultations, we had looked at schemes that provide around 40 homes. Following concerns of density, we are currently proposing a reduction in this number.

How many homes does the council plan to put on the site?

Current proposals give the opportunity for all existing facilities to be re-housed, with improved provision. We are working closely with all organisations to this end.

Will all current facilities on the site be re-provided?

Funding to date has come from the GLA and Brent Council. Funding for the full delivery of this scheme is not yet secured; we would expect to generate some funding through housing.

How is it funded?

The council is committed to re-providing community space. There will be two new flexible community halls as well as other community spaces of varying sizes.

Will there be a community space for general use?

How will the community spaces be managed?

This space could be run by SKT as it is now. Management by others would also be possible.

‘The Granville’ – a GLA funded interim ‘Enterprise & Community Hub’ - has opened in the Granville Centre, managed by the South Kilburn Trust. This will run for about 5 years, accommodating and supporting ‘start-up’ businesses and providing community space. The Carlton building is temporarily in use by Rumi’s Cave (ULFA Aid charity).

What is happening to the buildings in the meantime?

Leaflets are sent to all properties within a half-mile radius of the site, and also distributed through some local organisations. Over 12,000 are issued. Email invitations are also sent to over 30 local community organisations and to those who join the mailing list.

How do you publicise the consultation events?

The proposals that will be submitted for planning approval will be displayed at a Final Exhibition in spring 2019. If you would like to be updated please join our mailing list.

Will there be further consultations?

The Trust is a UK charity, based in London. On the project they have supported the design team in delivering ‘Social Value’. They worked with a group of local young people interested in architecture and are supported them to lead a youth-led consultation at the Drop-In event in October. Please contact Chelsea Way at chelsea@stephenlawrence.org.uk to learn more.